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2.10.2014

I remember when we used to ride bicycles everywhereEven in the winter time, we would still ride around everywhereI can remember when we used to ride bicycles everywhereEven in the winter time, we would still ride around everywhere-Chad Vangaalen

Last October, I had mentally prepared myself for another tortuous Beijing
winter complete with rain, snow, wind, smog, bone-chilling cold, frozen toes, and 5 to 6 months of gray skies. However, this past winter— compared
to last year, anyway—has been pretty mild, and surprisingly pleasant. Don’t
misunderstand me—it’s still cold, but the amount of days with blue, sunny skies seems
to outnumber the smoggy ones. The blue skies may be the result of the wind
carrying the smog all the way to California (or so my mother tells me). Sorry
California!

Nevertheless, our anticipation for snow grew keener and keener as the days
grew colder and colder.
Then finally…it snowed! Last Friday, the frigid skies graced Beijing with a
generous dusting of white froth, concealing the everyday grime and filth and
luring gleeful children outside for snowball fights.

Snow or no snow, we still have things to do and places to be. So on our trusty bicycles we go—this means wearing a
lot of necessary clothing. Warm hat—necessary. Double lined woven gloves –necessary. Thick scarf—necessary. Long underwear—necessary. Big, poofy down
coat—necessary. Styling your hair—unnecessary. Everyone has hat head here (except birdMAN). Wearing
all those clothes makes me feel like a giant stuffed animal. A giant
stuffed animal on a bike in the snow. But I am not cold.